How to Become a Proofreader without Any Experience

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Any word nerds in the house looking to capitalize on their love of reading? Why not become a proofreader?

Proofreading can be the perfect side hustle or full-time work-from-home job for students, stay-at-home moms, retirees, or people who want to be location independent.

It’s also one of the best jobs for introverts as you very rarely have to speak to your clients over the phone and almost never meet them in person unless you want to!

If you love the idea of working from the comfort of your own home with your cat for company (it’s a stereotype for a reason :-)), then keep reading to find out how you can make money reading.

Table of Contents

What is proofreading and what does a proofreader do?

Proofreading is the art of finding errors in the written word and correcting them.

So what are the duties of a proofreader? A proofreader searches for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting and fixes them using the track changes function in Microsoft Word or Google Docs or by using proofreading marks in programs like Adobe Acrobat.

The editing process includes many different stages and proofreading is the last stage in the process. The other stages include developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting.

If you’re wondering “What is the difference between copyediting and proofreading?” don’t worry. Although many people use the words interchangeably, there is a notable difference between the two.

A proofreader checks for the following:

Any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation missed by the copyeditor
Correct word usage (e.g., homonyms and homophones)
Formatting issues with font size, style, and layout
Broken links and cross-reference errors

A copyeditor also checks for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as taking a more detailed look at the structure and clarity of sentences. They may rewrite some sentences.

It’s important to be aware of the distinction as you don’t want to end up copyediting at a proofreading rate! I wrote another blog post explaining the different levels of editing.

Why is proofreading important?

Despite what you might think when you see the excruciating number of errors in social media posts, proofreading is still important.

Even though we’re consuming more video content than ever before, many people still love to read. What they don’t love are errors that drag them right out of the story! People still expect books to be as error-free as possible.

Proofreaders are also essential for businesses. A company’s reputation and professionalism can come into question if there are numerous errors in its written content. Not to mention the financial consequences it can have.

Check out these expensive proofreading mistakes including that time when Alitalia Airlines sold 2,000 flights from Toronto to Cyprus for $39 instead of $3,900. That cost the airline a pretty penny!

What qualifications do you need to be a proofreader?

You’re probably freaking out right now and wondering “Can you be a proofreader without a degree?”

Of course you can! You don’t need a degree to become a proofreader. What you really need is an eye for detail and above-average grammar skills.

However, I do recommend getting some training as it definitely pays to hone your proofreading skills before you start charging a fee for them.

Even if you got straight As in school, you may have forgotten a lot of grammar rules or never learned some of them in the first place. I for one have no recollection of learning grammar in school! But it didn’t stop me from learning the rules later on and becoming a proofreader.

Some proofreading companies may require you to have a degree in a relevant subject, but if you work with self-publishing authors and businesses, you’ll find that many of them don’t even ask to see your résumé. And you get to keep all your earnings, instead of giving the proofreading company a cut!

What skills do you need to be a proofreader?

So you don’t need a degree, but you do need to have certain skills or qualities to be an excellent proofreader.

You must have excellent grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills. That’s nonnegotiable! While you don’t have to memorize the rules, you do need to be very familiar with them and know where to look to get the answers if you’re not sure.

Your attention to detail must be second to none. Do people compliment you on your eagle eyes? Good! That means you’re probably good at spotting errors where other people miss them.

As a freelance proofreader, you will be a business owner. As with any business, good communication skills are essential when it comes to dealing with clients. They are paying for a service, and they expect it to be professional.

Love researching to find answers? An excellent proofreader is not afraid to research what they don’t know in editing style guides and resources instead of just marking it for the author to fix.

Can anyone be a proofreader? Nope! Not everyone is suited to being a proofreader. If you’re the kind of person who skims while you read and you don’t care about small details, then proofreading is not the right work-at-home job for you!

Is there a demand for proofreaders?

There sure is! Proofreaders are more in demand now than ever before thanks to the fact that people no longer have to get a publishing contract before their book gets published.

Now anyone can publish a book on Amazon. They’ve made it stupid simple so anyone can do it!

On top of that, there are a huge number of online businesses popping up that need people to proofread their websites, blog posts, sales page copy, online courses, etc.

Don’t worry about the industry being flooded; not everyone who claims to be a proofreader actually has the skills to do it well. There will always be work for skilled proofreaders.

Who hires proofreaders?

Anyone who publishes content can benefit from hiring a proofreader.

Below is just a snapshot of the kind of clients you could work with and the type of content you might work on.

Bloggers

Blog posts
Emails to their subscribers
Online course content

Publishing houses

Books
Blurbs
Marketing copy

Self-publishing authors

Books
Blurbs
Marketing copy
Amazon profile

Businesses

Website copy
Emails
Annual reports
Product descriptions

Students/Academics

Theses
Essays
Papers

How much does a freelance proofreader earn?

Ah, the question on everyone’s mind: can you make money proofreading?

Definitely! It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you put the work into getting clients, you can do quite well as a proofreader.

According to ZipRecruiter, a freelance proofreader in the United States can earn an average of $51,391 per year or $22/hour (as at August 11, 2020).

Caitlin Pyle of Proofread Anywhere earned $43,000 a year proofreading part-time!

I know you may have other questions floating around in your brain too like “How much should I charge for proofreading per page?” and “Should I charge per page, per word, or per hour?”

It really depends on the job! If you’re proofreading typeset pages, you may wish to charge per page. If the job is really short, you might go for an hourly rate. Or if it’s a long document like a book, a per word rate can work out well.

The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) recently released an updated rates chart based on how much members they surveyed charge for different types of editing. According to the EFA chart, proofreaders can charge between $0.012 and $0.05 per word or between $35 and $65 per hour for proofreading. It varies depending on the niche and complexity of the document, as does the average page speed. If you are proofreading fiction or nonfiction, you might charge around $.02–$.03/wd. Medical and business documents are more complex, so you might charge around $.05/wd and $.02–$.04/wd respectively for those.

As a business owner, you set your own rates.

I talk more about how much proofreaders earn in this post.

How do I become a proofreader from home?

So how do you actually become a professional proofreader? What steps do you need to take to start your proofreading business so that it’s successful?

Step 1: Get proofreading training

Step 1, for any service business, is always to get proper training. People are paying you to provide a service and they expect that service to be professional. Proofreaders don’t get the same amount of slack for making mistakes as many other service providers because they are literally in the business of finding mistakes!

One course that I have personally taken and can recommend is Proofread Anywhere’s General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course.

***Proofread Anywhere is 70% off until August 3 with the code SAVE70DEAL!***

General Proofreading: Theory and Practice

The General Proofreading course is a comprehensive course that includes quizzes on various grammar and punctuation rules as well as 40 practice essays to test what you’ve learned from the course. Not only that but it also includes an extensive module on how to set up your business and find proofreading jobs online.

You also get access to a supportive student community on Facebook.

Here’s what you’ll learn in the course:

Module 1: Introduction to General Proofreading

Welcome to the Course
Why Proofread + Who Hires a Proofreader
Skills Needed to Be an Excellent General Proofreader
What a General Proofreader Does and Doesn’t Do
Module Quiz
BONUS: Mindset Booster eBooks

Module 2: Grammar Refresher

Skills Workbook
Types of Errors
Grammar Myths and Common Grammar Mistakes
Parts of Speech
Pronouns
Contractions and Possessives
Verb Forms

Module 3: Sentence Structure

Subjects and Predicates
Sentence Fragments + Run-On Sentences
Agreement in Person and Number
Order of Adjectives
Adverbial Phrase vs. Participial Phrase
“Which” vs. “That” and Dangling Modifiers

Module 4: Spelling and Word Use for Proofreaders

Common Typos
Commonly Misused Words
Numbers
American and British Spelling Variations
Capitalization

Module 5: Punctuation Principles

Common Punctuation Mistakes
Apostrophes
Hyphenated and Compound Words
En vs. Em Dash
Commas and Semicolons
Quotation Marks and Italics
American and British Punctuation Differences
Vocabulary Quiz

Module 6: Proofreading Methods

Proofreading Methods: Pen and Paper
Proofreading Methods: PDF
Proofreading Methods: Microsoft Word
Advanced Formatting in Microsoft Word
Proofreading Methods: Google Docs
Style in Proofreading
Module Quiz

Module 7: Proofreading Practice

Work through 40 practice essays to hone your skills

Module 8: Types of Proofreading

Academic Proofreading
Blog/Podcast Show Notes Proofreading
Business Writing Proofreading
Creative Writing Proofreading

Module 9: Turning Proofreading into a Business

Setting Up Your Business Website (with BONUS Checklist)
Writing Your Résumé
Set Your Rates
Taxes and Incorporating Your Proofreading Business
Build Your Experience with Project Gutenberg
Module Quiz

Module 10: Finding Clients

Proofreading and Freelance Associations
Social Media Basics
Online Marketplaces to Find Proofreading Work
Leveraging Online Profiles to Attract Ideal Clients

Module 11: Marketing Basics

Blogging Your Way to More Clients
Effective Proposal Writing
Avoiding Scammers
Don’t Expect Clients to Just Come to You
Active vs. Passive Marketing
Module Quiz

Module 12: Understanding AI

Introduction to AI
AI and Proofreading
AI Tools
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI
AI FAQs
BONUS: Creating Marketing Copy with AI

Module 13: Your Workflow

Starting Off on the Right Foot
Working with Client Preferences
A Proofreader’s Relationship with Other Editors on the Project
Billing with FreshBooks
Developing Your Reputation
Module Quiz

Module 14: Getting the Most out of the Freelancing Life

Organizing Your Time to Avoid Burnout
A Day in the Life of a Proofreader
Gaining Confidence
Case studies of three successful course graduates
Module Quiz

Module 15: Ignite Plus Exam

A hand-graded exam to test your knowledge of what you’ve learned in the course

The course comes in two levels: Ignite and Ignite Plus.

Ignite Plus includes an extra module: the Ignite Plus exam. As an Ignite Plus student, I took the exam and found it incredibly beneficial as passing it helped me gain confidence. It also allowed me entry into a graduate Facebook group, which has proven valuable in terms of sharing marketing tips and being part of a community.

Passing the exam also allows you to list your services on the Hire a Proofreader job board.

You can read my full Proofread Anywhere review here.

Free proofreading workshop

Want to learn more about proofreading from home before you commit? Check out this free proofreading workshop to see if it’s a good fit for you!

Step 2: Gather your tools

Once you’ve honed your proofreading skills and you’re ready to start your business, you’ll need to gather the tools and resources you’ll need for the job.

Here’s what you’ll need for your proofreading business:

Laptop or desktop computer

Some people use a tablet to proofread, but I find it too difficult as the screen is teeny tiny. I recommend purchasing a lightweight laptop in case you want the freedom to proofread from anywhere.

Editing software like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe Acrobat (if you’re proofreading PDFs)

As I mostly work with self-publishing authors, I use Microsoft Word the most. I find it the easiest to work with, and you can speed up your process by using macros and editing software like PerfectIt.

Reference books like the Chicago Manual of Style, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, and The Best Punctuation Book, Period

There are lots of different reference books you can use depending on the dialect of English you are proofreading or the genre, but those three are my go-tos.

Reliable internet access

You will be working completely online, so you need to have access to the internet to look up rules and deliver your files to your clients.

Resources that allow you to share files and passwords

You can send files via email, but sometimes if the files are too big, it can be difficult. You can use an app like Dropbox to share documents. Some clients like bloggers prefer that you make the changes for them right on their website. They can share their password with you via an app called LastPass so you can log in.

PayPal account

Let’s not forget the most important part: payment! There are many different ways you can get paid, but the ones I am most familiar with are PayPal and Wise (formerly TransferWise) as I mostly work with clients in the US (I’m based in Ireland).

Home office setup

If you’re working from home, you’ll need to set up an office for yourself so that you can work comfortably. If you have enough space, I recommend investing in a proper desk, office chair, and desk lamp.

As you can see, it really doesn’t have to cost that much to start your business. You may already have access to a lot of these resources.

Step 3: Start marketing your business

This is the scary part! Finding proofreading jobs online can take a little time, but there are lots of jobs out there!

Here are five things you can do to kick-start your business:

Create a website: This is your home on the internet. As a modern consumer, I don’t hire anyone unless I’ve taken a look at their website first.
Start a blog: Blogging about topics that interest your ideal client is a great way to drive them to your service website. You would be building Know, Like, and Trust with them and making them feel more comfortable about parting with their hard-earned cash.
Set up social media accounts: Visibility is the name of the game when you have an online business so you need to be present on at least one or two social media platforms and be posting regularly.
Engage with potential clients in Facebook groups: Having a Facebook page is great, but how to really leverage the power of Facebook is to answer questions in Facebook groups. This is how you stand out as an expert in your field and become more visible.
Attend local business meetups: Even though you’re working online, don’t forget the local market! You can still find work through networking events.

Step 4: Get some experience

Getting experience can feel like a huge stumbling block for a lot of people, but you can become a proofreader even if you have no experience!

How do I get proofreading experience?

There are a couple of ways you can get experience when you’re just starting out. I don’t normally advocate working for no pay, but doing a couple of jobs for free in the beginning can be a good way to get a testimonial for your website and maybe even a referral to other clients.

You could volunteer to proofread for a cause that you feel passionate about in exchange for a testimonial.

You could also do a skill swap with another service provider. For example, you could proofread their website in exchange for graphic design services or tech help on your website or help with social media.

Legitimate online proofreading jobs

Here’s a short list of the some of the best websites for legitimate proofreading jobs from home:

Freelancer websites and job boards

LinkedIn
Fiverr
Upwork
Freelancer
FlexJobs

One benefit of finding jobs on websites like these is that you can negotiate the pay directly with the client.

Proofreading websites/agencies

Check out this list of even more websites that hire for freelance proofreading jobs.

As a working proofreader, my preference would be to try to find my own clients through social media and networking rather than working with proofreading agencies. That way I get to keep all my earnings. Just something to keep in mind!

Conclusion

If you enjoy reading and want to make money from it, proofreading could be the perfect job for you!

Don’t forget to check out this free proofreading class to find out how to become a proofreader with no experience!

Not sold on proofreading? There are tons of other options out there! Check out this list of 33 home-based business ideas!